Hello all
Great forum. I need a little help.
I want to try my hand at reloading and would like to try the Lee Reloader first before I buy a whole set up. Problem is I can't find anyone that sells them in 25/06. I know they have made them because a buddy of mine has one that he has had for years. Maybe Lee just stop making them in 25/06? Do you think it would do any good to call Lee? But if it's a custom order it may cost nearly as much as one of the Press kits they sell. Any one have any ideas were I may find one or do you think I should just get the 50th An. press kit? Thanks for the help. Rick

I think you will be better served with the Anniversary Kit. The hand tool is neck size only, has only a few dippers for measuring powder and, while it makes good ammo, it's SLOW! If you later go to full swing reloading the hand set will be gathering dust on a shelf but, even if you later get a steel press (The Lee Classic Cast is great), you will still have plenty of uses for the Challenger press that comes with the Kit.

Suggest you also get the Lee die set that includes the collet neck sizer as well as a Full Length die if you can swing it. And the Lee Case Trimmer kit too.

Any one have any ideas were I may find one?

Rick, I've got a 2008 LEE catalog and they don't mention .25/06 Rem as one of the calibers the Classic Lee Loader is available in -- dunno if they have stuff available that is not cataloged, but I've heard their Customer Service department is pretty good. Might be worth a call.

One other alternative you might consider is buying the LEE Hand Press Kit and a set of .25/06 dies -- regardless of how much more you might add on later (single stage press, turret press, progressive, etc.) you will always be able to find a use for the hand press as a "take along" to the range, etc.

Just a thought. . .

The Old Guy

Thanks for all the help guys:D I think I'll give lee a call just to see. It's not a cost thing I just like the reloader my freind has and it does a good job for him. I may just get the Anniversary Kit for home too. Thanks again Rick

I bought one on eBay that had never been used. I have never used it either. I have one for every cartridge I load for. My thinking was I would take them to the range for load development but I am setting up a range at the house so it may never get used. If you are interested in it send me a PM.

Hello all
Great forum. I need a little help.
I want to try my hand at reloading and would like to try the Lee Reloader first before I buy a whole set up. Problem is I can't find anyone that sells them in 25/06. I know they have made them because a buddy of mine has one that he has had for years. Maybe Lee just stop making them in 25/06? Do you think it would do any good to call Lee? But if it's a custom order it may cost nearly as much as one of the Press kits they sell. Any one have any ideas were I may find one or do you think I should just get the 50th An. press kit? Thanks for the help. Rick

Trying out reloading is a good reason for using the "Lee Loader", as they used to be called, as Lee didn't offer anything else. Long, long ago, that was the only thing I could afford and use on the living room floor of our 1 bedroom apt. I used it for .30-06, .218 Bee, and 12 ga. shotgun. It took me a whole evening to load a box of rounds, but they were at least good, if not ideal.

The way Lee gets away with using the dipper for powder charges, is to use such a slow burning powder that it would be almost impossible to get an over load. There wouldln't be enough room in the case to get "too much" powder. What that means is, that you will also not get maximum velocities or even very good efficiency, but it will be safe.

If it does, in fact, turn out that you love reloading like the rest of us, you will have to replace that minimum equipment investment with better equipment. Some will say (Rocky?) that the dippers are still OK. I need to know for sure what my charges are likely to be since I load almost everything to the ragged edge of safety.

Still, I produced 1" groups in my .218 Bee using that "Lee Loader" all those years ago. What does it produce now? 1" groups, but in about 1/4 or less the time.

Rev